Frank d



(No Model.)

, F. D. HOPLEY.

PUZZLE.

No. 604,248. Patented May 17, 1898.

. JV W/TNESSES: I 7 71 //vv5/vr0/? :5 324417 By A; V

W A 7'7'0HNE Y.

m: "can 5 Fergus co pwormum WASNINGTUNID- c,

IJ'NTTED STAT S PATENT Orrics.

FRANK D. I'IOPLEY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

' PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 604,248, dated May 17, 1898.

Application filed July 3, 1897. Serial No. 643,342. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: .7 V I Be it known that I, FRANK D. HOPLEY,a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city,in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Puzzles, of which the following is a specification, reference being had also to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to a puzzle to be known as the American seven-seven puzzle, and it consists of a box preferably rectangular in form, certain markings thereon, and a number of chips, all of which are hereinafter fully described and claimed.

The object of my device is to provide a cheap and durable puzzle which will be amusing as well as instructive to both young and old and may be used for advertising purposes. I attain these results by the device fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents the inside of the box, cover removed. Fig. 2 shows a cross side section of the box, cover on, along the line 1 1 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the chips.

The box B, as shown in Figs. land 2, is oblong, square, flat, and made of common pasteboard, but may be made of other suitable material. A cover 0 in Fig. 2 is provided suitable to receive the name of the puzzle, and instructions to solve the same, or may be used for the display of advertisements. The inside bottom of the box F in Fig. 1 offers a fiat surface whereon certain positions P P P P P P in Fig. 1 are markedas, for instance, by round spots. These markings may suitably be of two colors arranged opposingly in two rows P and P in Fig. 1 and connected with each other by some extra markings P P P P in Fig. 1 for the purpose later explained. The spots of both groups are provided with nomerals or letters, or designated by other marks, to distinguish them from one another, but in such a manner that there is one match for each number, letter, or mark in the ranks of the opposite row distinct from the other in either color or form. The connecting positions P P P and P in Fig. 1 are not marked, as is seen in the drawings.

I also provide a number of chips or disks, commonly called men, which one by one match the numbers, letters, or markings of the positions. Hence they will belong to either of two groups and can be paired in their markings. In Fig. 2 the men M to M belonging to group P are shown in their respective match positions in the box, while Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of disk M and illustrates the preferred mode of form for these men, though almost any shape or out is just as acceptable for their purpose.

In the instance of illustration there are provided in all fourteen chips-seven of one color and seven of another-which correspond in color and number to fourteen positions in the box-spots 1 to 7 of group P and spots 1 to 7 of group P and four positions P P P P are so located between these groups that they make a connection between them in two different places and peculiarly between the second and sixth position of each group, as best seen in the drawings, Fig. 1. The four positions may be marked in a dilferent Way from the rest, but it seems best fitted that they be of the same color as the group to which they are nearest.

Let us take it for granted that the field is white, with red and blue spots and disks to match, numbered from 1 to 7. I prefer this combination, as it presents the national colors.

To solve the puzzle, place the men on the spots corresponding to their number and color, then endeavor to transfer the blue men to the red spots having the same number and the red men to the blue spots having the same number, so that when transferred the men will be in the same order as at firstl 2 3 4 5 6 7-but on the spots of opposite color. This must be done by moving the men either way over the unoccupied spots and via the numberless positions. It looks easy, but will be found quite a difficult feat to accomplish.

Although I have specifically described the construction, arrangement, and operation of a specified article, I do not desire to be confined to the same, as such changes in the number of positions, disks, or their form and colors or the connection of the two groups may be made as clearly fall within the scope of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A puzzle consisting of a surface provided with marked positions of two distinguished groups arrayed oppositely to each other and connected by similar positions in two places and a number of chips divided into two distinguished groups and marked correspondingly to the positions, adapted to be placed thereon, all for the purpose of a puzzle, substantially as shown and described.

2. The combination of a field with eighteen positions marked thereon, divided into two groups of seven each, and connected with each other by the four remaining positions, a number of disks belonging to one of two groups, matching the markings of the positions, all for the purpose of placing the disks upon the positions and transferring them through skilful planning over the connecting positions unto the positions of the opposite group, substantially as shown and described.

3. A puzzle, consisting of a box, whereon a number of spots, lined to one another are 0ppositely arrayed in two groups, the second spot from either end of the line connected by other spots with the same spot of the other group, a number of men to cover the positions in line, all for the purpose of moving the men of one group upon the positions of the other group, using only as a place of access the connecting-spots, substantially as shown.

4. A puzzle combination and arrangement, consisting of a box, a cover, seven spots, marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in rotation along one side of the box, the same number of spots opposite thereof, marked likewise but of a different color or form, two spots connecting these two groups each between the second and sixth spot, fourteen chips to match the fourteen spots, all for the purpose of placing them thereon and to endeavor their transfer to another neighboring and unoccupied spot until one group consecutively occupies the spots formerly opposite, substantially as shown and described.

5. A puzzle having two rows of positions, distinguished by color from each other, and disks to match the positions in color, and marked by consecutive numerals, the same number of disks in each group, free, unoccupied positions between the groups for operation, over which the disks are to be moved and placed in consecutive numbers upon the positions of the opposite group, substantially as shown and described.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 22d day of June A. D. 1897.

FRANK D. I'IOPLEY. WVitnesses:

ELEANOR S. HARTNELL, A. L. ANDREAE. 

